Sony XBR65X750D Review (Sony X750D Series)

Overview

Sony X750D is an entry level of Sony’s 2016 4K HDR LED TV lineup. In the market, it is available only on 65 Inch (XBR65X750D) andonwards we will use the term XBR65X750D for X750D series. Performance and Feature that offered by Sony XBR65X750D is virtually identical with its brother X700D series, but this series comes with smallest screen 48 inch and 55 Inch and also comes with lower native refresh rate panel and Motion Flow technology. In the market, XBR65X750D is sold about $1200 and I think it is a cheap price for 65 Inch HDR TV. But f course this price still could change at any time. So, what performance and picture quality that offered? We will discuss completely below.

4K X-Reality Pro Engine is the brain of Sony XBR65X750D. On its panel, it uses IPS Panel with direct LED Backlight. But in here, I don’t see X1 4K Processor listed in its specification at the official website. There is also no TriLuminos Display behind it. But even so, this TVs is carries HDR as one of their main features in addition there is also Android TV. But for enjoying HDR contents from Internet Video Services, you cannot simply be immediately enjoyed HDR after you purchase it. But it still requires a firmware update via the internet. Additionally, XBR65X750D is also not equipped with 3D technology. So, if you are one of 3D fans, of course this TV is not for you.

The Performance of Sony XBR65X750D

Picture Quality

Let’s start from picture quality because our main consideration in buying a TV of curse is about picture quality. As mentioned above, for processing video signals, Sony XBR65X750D relies on the great performance of 4K X-Reality Pro engine and the number Sony’s proprietary technology like Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE), 24P True Cinema Technology, and more. Without X1 Engine and TriLuminos Display certainly strongly influence on contrast and color that produced.

As mentioned, Sony XBR65X750D also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) but even so, to enjoy HDR contents from streaming internet service, a firmware update is required. It support HDR 10 set by UHD alliance where there is certain criteria that should be met by a 4K TV to display HDR 10 contents fully. 1000 nits of peak brightness, 0.05 nits of black level, 90% DCI P3 color space and 10 bit depth of color are an absolute requirement that set by UHD Alliance for Ultra HD Premium Certification. So, how the display specs of XBR65X750D? Do they meet the standardization of HDR 10? Let’s discuss one by one.

The deepest black level that is reached by XBR65X850D is about 0.119 nits with contrast ratio 860:1 while that peak of brightness that can be reached is about 340 nits. This shows how weak the contrast that delivered by XBR65X750D. Maybe it uses IPS panel where peak brightness that reached is not as bright as TV with VA Panel. But compared to most of other IPS Panel TVs, its contrast isn’t still quite enough to match them. With the poor contrast, of course we cannot expect too much it can meet the minimum standardization of HDR 10 about peak brightness, black level, and contrast.

Moving on color performance, Sony XBR75X850D already support 10 bits of panel where it is the minimal standardization of HDR 10 about depth of color so make the color gradient looks finer without color gradation. This is understandable, 10 bits panel means it can delivers about 1.07 billion shades of color and it is far below than TV with 8 bit panel that only can deliver about 16 million depth of color. But unfortunately, it doesn’t support wide color gamut. Without TriLuminos Display, Sony XBR65X750D only can cover about 82% f DCI P3 of color space. This means this is still much lower than minimum standardization of HDR 10 about color gamut that is 90% of DCI P3 color space.

With the performance not so good in contrast and color, of course we cannot expect a lot on XBR65X750D to be able to display HDR contents fully. Its black level and peak brightness are too weak to display HDR fully as well as the color gamut delivered. Considering its cheap price, this actually is understandable. But even so, for displaying SDR contents, SONY XBR65X750D still does a good job. This mean, it still can display great picture quality for its price range.

Viewing Angle

Although not major for overall picture quality, Wide Viewing Angle is one of the good points of Sony XBR65X750D even better than the series above X850D which both use IPS Panel. This cannot be separated from great performance of the combination between IPS Panel and Direct LED Backlighting. If on most of LED TVs with VA Panel even from premium class, the critical angle is 20 degrees where the contrast and color will look deteriorate, XBR65X750D offer wider angle that is 48 degrees. This will give you a benefit when you are placing your seat to get the best viewing.

Motion Control

Sony XBR65X750D also does a great job when it is displaying contents with fast scenes like sports, fast movies, or video games. Behind it, there is Motion Flow XR960 technology based on native 120 Hz refresh rate panel. The result, there is only a little motion blurs appears in certain scenes. This is much better than delivered by most of Samsung SUHD TVs lineup. The other perfect performance is also shown when it is handling 24p contents like Blu Ray Movies, even though 60p signals and 60i signals. This mean there is no judder noticeable when it is displaying these contents. 24P True Cinema Technology is the technologies which played a major role in this case.

UHD Up-scaling Engine

Although without X1 4K processor behind it, Sony XBR65X750D still offers good performance in up-scaling contents with lower resolution to 4K quality. The technology which played a major role is 4K X-Reality Pro. When the sources is 480p like SD TV or DVDs, the picture displayed in 4K quality on the screen of XBR65X750 still looks detail and not too soft. Moreover is the source is 720p likes Cable or Satellite TV, the picture resulted looks very good with a lot of details. The perfect result is reached when the sources is 1080p like Blu Ray Movies, the up-scaled images looks very clear and details, as detail as when the sources is native 4K images.

Smart TV

Sony XBR65X750D features Google Android TV as its smart TV platform. It is one of most attractive smart TV platforms. Overall, it is similar to Google android platform on your smart phone, so this will make you more familiar to use. As Google default apps, there are Google Voice Search, Google Cast, Google Play Store that provide tons of apps, contents, and games, and many more. To download on Google play Store is also not much different when you are downloading from Google Play Store on your smart Phone. You just need to log in with your Google Account and choose tons of apps,, contents, and apps you like. But the differences, not all apps that provided on your Android Smart Phone also provided on Google Android TV. This means there is certain filter that filtering which apps that compatible with TV. This is caused android smart phone uses touch screen as the controller and this certainly is impossible to use touch screen on TV.

In addition to Default Google apps, there are a lot of interesting apps provided like Web Browser, Premium VoD Service like Netflix, Amazon, and more, and the others. For gamers, Sony XBR65X750D also provides Sony Play Station Now apps where it allows you to play a lot of Play Station 3 games directly from the internet without a console. You just need a DualShock 4 as the controller and pair with your TV and you have to ready play tons of PS3 games that provided by PS3 game rental on the internet with same responsiveness and speed as a PS3 console. But of course, high speed internet connection and monthly subscription fees is required.

Connectivity

I think, 4 HDMI ports and 3 USB ports as the major connectivity of XBR65X750D are quite enough to cover your devices. This is like what provided by most of premium models 4K TVs. Even for most TV in price range, this is still more. In addition to HDMI and USB Ports, there are also 2 Composite In (AV), 1 Component In, 1 RF In, RS 232 (mini jack), 1 Ethernet, 1 Audio Out, 1 Digital Out (Optical). This means the connectivity provided by XBR65X750D can be said very complete. 1 HDMI ports, 1 AV in, Component In, RS 232 port, and optical port are installed on rear panel with facing backward. While the other is also installed on real panel but facing sideways.

Sound Quality

As its audio equipment, Sony XBR65X750D is equipped with 2.0 channel speaker system with total power 20 watts. It is just like audio system most of entry level TV. There is no built in woofer behind it. So, don’t ever expect good sound quality from XBR65X750D. If only just to watch TV Shows, News, or other program where the sound quality is not too important, maybe it is quite enough. But if for watching movies or music programs, of course you need additional stand alone sound bar to get better sound experience.

Conclusion

The excepting of HDR, there is nothing too special about performance and features that offered by Sony XBR65X750D. Its contrast is not too strong even for a fellow IPS TV. Additionally, the lack of TriLuminos Display also make color gamut delivered is not as wide as the series above X850D that comes with TriLuminos Display. With the display specs delivered by XBR65X750D, it is impossible to display HDR fully. But even so, considering its cheap price, this certainly is understandable. At least, when displaying HDR or SDR contents the picture still looks great for its price range. The positive point, it has an advantage about wider viewing angle and great motion handing than most of 4K TVs in its class even higher class. In addition to viewing angle and motion control, Google Android TV also become a flagship of Sony XBR65X750D.

As mentioned, in the market, Sony XBR65X750D is sold about $1200 and of course it is a cheap price fr 65 Inch HDR 4K TV. Overall, its performance is average. So, should I buy this TV? If HDR performance is your main consideration in buying TVs, of course performance offered by XBR65X750D will let you down. But if you are searching a cheap big screen 65 Inch 4K TV with complete features, you can try it. In its price range, there is Samsung UN65KS6300 that offers better black level and contrast, but weak in motion control and viewing angle also doesn’t support 10 bit color.

Despite Sony XBR65X750D already supports HDR, but it is not supported by display specs with decent performance for that. Its contrast is too weak and it also doesn’t support wide color gamut. Even to be able to play HDR contents from Internet Streaming Services, you must first update the firmware of your TV.

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